Search Results for: coconut

Coconut oil is gaining in popularity. We’re here to tell you just how awesome it is! There are many benefits of coconut oil and so many uses for it – all of them benefit your health and your body. Some people worry about the high-fat content of coconut oil.

Yup, coconut oil is high in fat. GOOD FAT! Our bodies need good fats to properly function and maintain metabolic balance. Your body recognizes coconut oil for what it is: REAL! Everyone should be using coconut oil daily — in your body, on your body, for your body. Below are several ways to use coconut oil for a healthier you.[Read more…]

For many people, New Year’s Eve is a chance to party, drink a little (or a lot), and take a break from life for a little while. However, there are many reasons you may want to spend your New Year’s Eve alcohol free. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time, enjoy amazing food, and sip delicious beverages. Sisters Know Best has put together our favorite chemical free ideas for you. Before we dive in, one pro tip for you: If you’re hosting, be sure your guests know in advance that your party is alcohol free.[Read more…]

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing soak in the tub. A DIY Bath Bomb will make it even better! A bath is a great way to unwind after a stressful day or steal a few moments of alone time to read, meditate, or focus on your goals without interruption. DIY Bath Bombs add to the pleasure of an already relaxing moment with scents and colors you choose to enhance the experience and leave you relaxed or invigorated. Buying them can be expensive. So we found out how to make our own. DIY bath bombs also make a great stocking stuffer at Christmas or part of a larger “pamper yourself” gift basket any time year. [Read more…]

Itchy, flaky dry skin. It makes me crazy! Eczema is a frustrating skin condition… and it’s tough to find good natural eczema treatments… I’m not a fan of chemical-based treatments. In general, eczema is a lack of oils and fats in your skin which causes it to become inflamed. The space between the skin cells becomes larger, which can allow bacteria and other irritants to enter more easily. Most soaps make this worse because they strip away the oils and lipids your skin normally produces. I normally use aloe vera to treat eczema that is out of control but the following are great ways to manage and try to avoid outbreaks.

Coconut, Jojoba and Shea Butter for Natural Eczema Treatments

This remedy is easy to make and store. Each of the ingredients on their own have been shown to help skin retain moisture. Combined, it makes a wonderful, powerful cream.

Here’s what you’ll need:

-2 tablespoons Shea butter

-2 tablespoons beeswax

-6 tablespoons of coconut oil

-4 tablespoons of jojoba oil

-Lavender essential oil (optional)

-Airtight tins or glass jars

Directions:

Using a double boiler, melt the beeswax and jojoba until liquefied. Then coconut oil and stir until it is fully incorporated. Finally, lower the heat and add the Shea butter, stirring as it melts. Shea butter gets added last and at lower heat because a little more heat sensitive. It can also get grainy further along its shelf life. Pour the mixture into airtight glass jars and add a drop or two of lavender essential oil, if desired. Allow it to cool and cover for storage.

To use:

Apply liberally to affected areas as needed.

Vegetable Glycerin

Oils don’t work for every eczema sufferer. Vegetable glycerin can be a great alternative in those cases. Food-grade vegetable glycerin is 99.7% pure. The remaining 0.3% is water. As you can imagine, this makes it ideal for restoring moisture to your skin and filling the gaps between skin cells. Start with a 1:1 ratio of water to vegetable glycerin. Blend them in a spray bottle and spritz on your skin as needed. Once you see how your skin reacts, you can play around with the ratios to find the right mix for your skin.

What other natural eczema treatments have helped you tame the itchy, inflamed skin? We’d love to pass them on to our readers!

Looking for an awesome soup recipe? Well, summer is here again and with it the promise of more garden vegetables. Especially zucchini and summer squash! If you remember, last year I was overloaded with zucchini and summer squash. So I froze a lot of it. If you’re overloaded also, find out how to preserve some in our post How To Preserve Garden Vegetables. I still have some freezer leftovers to use up from last year. What better way than with this simple yet delicious and healthy Zucchini Soup Recipe?

The majority of New Year’s resolutions are made up of breaking bad habits and creating new good habits. In our Get Healthy Challenge, that’s what we are mainly trying to do. And it’s the hardest thing to do. Together, though, it’s easier.

Right from the get-go I will say that weather can be a drag! Check out this thermometer!It’s hard to motivate for anything outside with this temp! I’m lucky that I can plan my outdoor activity around the sun and wait until the temperature rises a bit. Last week Chris shared her ideas for when the weather is less than pleasant. What do you do if it’s uncomfortable to go outside and exercise? [Read more…]

We’ve been spoiled this year with warm weather but living in Maine and New Hampshire, that is only going to last so long. I see winter in the forecast and Emily said it’s freezing up where she is. We are both geared up for the Get Healthy New Year Challenge so I thought we could use some alternatives to coffee, fun drinks for kids, and some tasty concoctions to help us forget we’ve only begun winter…[Read more…]

Stir-frying is a great way to get some extra veggies in your meals. It’s also a great way to use up left-overs in the fridge! This sauce is fantastic and adaptable for heat and sweetness. Whip up a batch and enjoy!

Here’s a speedy way to use up #zucchini and pack some nutrients into a yummy meal. I made this for breakfast, but it would be delicious for any time of day. It could be the entire meal or a side dish. I think it would be fun to cook this over an open fire pit sometime!

A frittata is an Italian dish made with fried beaten, or whipped, eggs and resembles a Spanish omelet.

Ever get super excited to invite friends for lunch and then be stumped on what to feed them? Here’s the answer: CRUSTLESS QUICHE! Mine is made without crust, as I try to limit wheat. I used the last of my asparagus and one lonely leek and some chicken. It was a crowd pleaser.

Ever roasted cauliflower? Ever roasted it and then made soup from it? I hadn’t, but let me tell you: I love the result! This is an easy and healthy vegetarian recipe! Plus an added benefit is how incredible the spices smell as the soup heats. The longest part is the roasting so it might be a good fall or winter recipe too but in the summer also ….

Yay! Color is here! It’s been a loooooong winter. It’s even longer when you garden in Maine, but it’s so rewarding to take a tiny seed and have it grow into a gorgeous flower or a delicious vegetable. [Read more…]